Suzuki's Athletic Hatch Cast in Driving with the Stars

BREA, Calif., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- After its much anticipated debut on the road in 2010, Suzuki's new athletic-hatch, the SX4 SportBack, hit the track with the team from HISTORY's "Top Gear," the new U.S. version of the Emmy award-winning BBC television series of the same name. The 2011 SX4 SportBack will play a leading role in the show's inaugural Big Star in a Small Car segment scheduled to air this November.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100503/LA97823LOGO)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100503/LA97823LOGO)

"Top Gear," from BBC Worldwide Productions, which premieres in November on HISTORY, follows a similar format as the original program on BBC. For its first Big Star in a Small Car segment, "Top Gear" hosts and famous secret race driver, The Stig – along with platinum-selling rock artist Kid Rock, actors Tim Allen, Michelle Rodriguez and Dominic Monaghan, and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk – charged a closed-course 1.6-mile track at El Toro in Irvine, Calif., to test the 2011 SX4 SportBack. No surprise, all of the show's celebrity drivers smoothly piloted the SX4 SportBack around the track and left supremely impressed with Suzuki's sporty five door.

"We were thrilled when Top Gear contacted us about the opportunity to showcase the driving dynamics of the 2011 Suzuki SX4 SportBack," said Gene Brown, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "The SX4 SportBack has received rave reviews since its introduction last year, and we're confident our sporty little hatch will be a huge hit with Top Gear's ensemble of big-name celebrity drivers as well as The Stig."

The Stig was unavailable for comment.

The 2011 SX4 SportBack delivers a perfect combination of style, functionality, dynamic handling and light-hearted sophistication for consumers looking for an affordable performance choice that matches their confident attitude and lifestyle. Under the hood, it packs a 2.0-liter engine delivering 150 horsepower at 6,200 rpm in combination with 140 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm for manual transmission models (148 hp with CVT), all while delivering an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon.

Both a six-speed manual and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) are available on the front-wheel-drive SX4 SportBack, along with paddle shifters. Beyond its European sport tuning, the SX4 SportBack's handling is further enhanced with performance shocks, standard stabilizer bars, a lower ride height, 17-inch alloy rims and 205/50 all-season Dunlops. Class-leading safety features also set Suzuki's five-door apart from the higher-priced competition, including electronic stability program with traction control, four-wheel disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, daytime running lights and eight standard airbags.

Other standard features on the SX4 SportBack include power windows, locks and mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 XM Satellite Radio®(1)-ready audio system (with available iPod®(2) interface), leather steering wheel cover, fog lights and aero body trim. In addition, the SX4 SportBack comes equipped with an integrated navigation system (with available advanced features, including traffic, fuel prices and airline arrival/departure information) as standard equipment.

"Top Gear's" Big Star in a Small Car segment featuring the 2011 SX4 SportBack will premiere on HISTORY this November. For more information on the show, visit the "Top Gear" website at www.history.com and  www.topgear.com.

(1) XM Satellite Radio is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio, Inc.

(2) iPod is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the United States and other countries.

About Suzuki

The Brea, Calif.-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 300 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2009, SMC sold more than 2.3 million new cars and trucks and more than 2.8 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit www.media.suzukiauto.com. Suzuki can also be found on Twitter (@SuzukiAuto), Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/SuzukiAutomotive).

SOURCE American Suzuki Motor Corporation